'Karuna's Eelam: Tactic to divert attention'

30 April 2012 06:03 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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DMK chief M. Karunanidhi has revived his pet theme — establishing a separate Eelam (homeland) for the Tamils of Sri Lanka.

His critics, however, see the move as yet another desperate bid to remain in the political limelight and also as a tactic to divert attention from the succession war between his sons Stalin and Alagiri, the Telegraph India said.

On Monday, Karunanidhi will chair a meeting of the Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO), an outfit he had founded in the 1980s but which had remained dormant since he dumped the Eelam demand for political expediency after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991.

At the last two public meetings he addressed this month, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister demanded a UN-sponsored referendum among Lankan Tamils to establish an Eelam on the lines of South Sudan, which voted last year to split from the north.

What has intrigued observers is the timing of Karunanidhi’s new-found love for the Eelam cause. The LTTE has been defeated, Tamil parties in Sri Lanka are keener to wrest more provincial powers under the Lankan Constitution and fringe groups in Tamil Nadu are more fervent about prosecuting Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa for war crimes.

“Eelam remains the long-term goal for parties like us…. But for Karunanidhi, Eelam becomes visible only when he is in the Opposition. The way he remained Delhi’s willing and silent ally while the Lankan army decimated Tamils in 2009 exposes the hollowness behind his present interest in Eelam,” said Mallai Sathya of the MDMK, whose leader Vaiko has been a vociferous votary of Eelam.

Between 2006 and 2011, when pro-LTTE parties demanded more effective intervention by India, Karunanidhi, then in power in the state, had declared that the Centre’s line — backing the Lanka crackdown on the Tamil Tigers — was the DMK’s as well.

Karunanidhi, whose party shares power at the Centre, even urged pro-LTTE voices to tone down the anti-Sinhala rhetoric lest it fanned anger against Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“When Jayalalithaa, during the 2009 Lok Sabha campaign, raised the pitch on Sri Lanka’s war against Tamils and promised to send the Indian Army to save them, the same Karunanidhi had accused her of politicising the issue…. Karunanidhi’s sudden interest in Eelam is nothing but a ruse to divert attention from the sibling war in his own family,” said Seeman, the founder of the group Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam.

Congress leaders view his sudden love for Eelam as a possible exit plan out of the UPA. “He probably feels that rather than fight the 2014 (Lok Sabha) elections with a discredited Congress, he might align with other parties like the Left, Vaiko and Vijayakanth,” an MP said.
However, the Lankan Tamil issue has never had an impact on elections in the state.

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Comments - 13

shan Monday, 30 April 2012 06:57 AM

He is always like that.!!..

Mike Samson Monday, 30 April 2012 07:20 AM

jayalalitha and karunanidhi must understand that the 30 year war was only against the shameless murderer prabakaran and his terrorist organaisation, not against the tamil people of sri lanka. so at least now it's time for someone to tell them to shut-up and mind their own business.

Lapas Monday, 30 April 2012 08:03 AM

Let both Jayalalitha & Karunanidhi tie the knot in holy matrimony, THEN ELLAM PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED

Ray Silva Monday, 30 April 2012 08:25 AM

Why are these South Indians advocating to our Tamils which they have NEVER voted for?
Only a section of the Tamils Voted for FEDERAL State, First suggested by SWRD in 1934. Tamils have NEVER voted for a SEPERATE state. Only LTTE wanted it through Terrorism.
Our Tamils & some Patriotic Sinhalese for a United Sri Lanka want are;
1. Tamil Speaking and People Friendly, Police Officers in the country
2. Minority representation in the Police & National Armed Forces.
3. Minority representation among the Heads and hierarchy in the State Sector, Police & the Armed forces. Selection & Promotion ONLY On Merits as it used to be, Not on Race or Religion.
4. Stop this Evil Colonisation. Let all Sri Lankans live SAFELY where ever they wish to.
5. Racist Comments at every level should be declared a Criminal Offence.
All Sri Lankans are Equal irrespective of Race, Religion or Sex. Long Live Mother of Our United Sri Lanka.

Jayasiri Monday, 30 April 2012 08:44 AM

anyone prompting racism, separate state base on race creeed caste or religion should be arrested and prosecuted.

Musthafa Monday, 30 April 2012 10:32 AM

Karunanidi has no more politics in Tamil nadu , so he is concentratin on Sri Lanka, any chances he can joint with UPFA Goverment????- It is not a joke because all of Sri Lankan medias give priority to Karunanidi who is one of Sri Lankan Politicians.

jojo Monday, 30 April 2012 10:46 AM

He is a selfish man. Why he is talking about tamil eelam now. He doen't know how to come out with his family problems first i.e. Alagiri vs Stalin. Very big opporunist.

wonderboy Monday, 30 April 2012 10:55 AM

Very long. Do you think your last sentence exist in SL?

banda Monday, 30 April 2012 10:59 AM

When Tamils in Sri Lanka are made afraid to speak others have to speak out.

Nodrog Monday, 30 April 2012 12:04 PM

At least then it may only be 'domestic problems'.

Gayan Monday, 30 April 2012 05:17 PM

Old age. Dont know when is the time for him. So let him speak. Let him die with his ealam dream just as a dream-like Prabakaran.

jacoobc Monday, 30 April 2012 09:21 PM

ray, high time, wake up from the dream , sun rays are shining outside ..

paths Monday, 30 April 2012 11:41 PM

But if president is unable to merge the n&east & give more entrenched devolved power incl land & police powers to N&E, there is no choice but the creation of Eelam which is likely to be a reality by default in the next 2 yrs. no point in discrediting karunanidhi-there r no priciples in politics.

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'Karuna's Eelam: Tactic to divert attention'

Comments - 13

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